CONFIDENTIAL
But once the
their time as rubber stamps on Executive Council.
passions of the Tsoi case have died away, they are capable of
accepting that this is in the best interests of Hong Kong and
the best way to support an active and successful Governor. If
they did so, the logic of the situation would be for them to
consider their recommendation in each case as it arises, in the
light, among other things, of the current situation in Parliament,
and to accept that the Governor would do the same. The question
of further reprieves by The Queen might not then arise. On cool
reflection they might well prefer this to legislation which would
expose Hong Kong's impotence.
4. Sir Y K Kan's talk with the Secretary of State on 6 June
will provide an opportunity to explore this line. But we will
need to approach him with caution. We have not yet decided on
our own line or discussed it with the Governor. We must therefore
try to reach our own assessment of how far Executive Council will
co-operate, without putting the point directly to Sir Y K Kan.
5. This does not mean that Executive Council would be likely
to co-operate with us if they believed that we were finally
determined that the death penalty must never again be carried
out in Hong Kong, no matter how horrible the crime or how
hardened the criminal. They would argue that this meant that
the views of Hong Kong were not only subordinate but of no
account at all. If, therefore, Ministers decide that there must
This is the vital point for be no more executions in Hong Kong in any circumstances, a policy
decisim
Kummif
of inactivity would be likely to result in repeated confrontations
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/with